Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/219

178 Education Council. The rest he gave away to the poor and the needy.

In September, 1841, appeared Vidyasagar's Jibana-Charita. This was also a translation, compiled from Chambers's "Biography." It contained the lives of Coparnicus, Galileo, Newton, Herschel, Grocius, Leonius, Duval, and Jones. The language of the book is as plain, melodious, and elegant as that of his former productions.

Some might insinuate that, instead of narrating and illustrating the lives of good and great men of the country, he went to seek for them in foreign lands. But it should be borne in mind, that Vidyasagar had the very liberal views of a real Hindu. He was not prejudiced against any nation, country, or religion. He appreciated merits, wherever he found them. Besides, there can be no objection or harm in trying to imitate the virtues of a man, though he be of a different nation or religion. The names and works of those good and great men, who sacrificed their lives for the welfare of their country, or by noble deeds added to the glory of their nation, or benefited the world, should not be the exclusive property of the particular countries in which they were born. The lives of such illustrious persons, as form the subjects of his discourse in the Jibana Charita are commendable to all classes of people. The Hindu, the Mussulman, or the Christian may be equally benefited by them. Vidyasagar cannot be blamed for placing thess exemplary models